Report and pics from Geetha Dias
Daijiworld Media Network - Chikmagalur (SP)
Chikmagalur, Sep 15: The Annual Day celebrations of the "Catholic Konkani Rakhan Sanchalan – Sundekere," was held at Holy Family Church, Sundekere in Chikmagalur Diocese, on Sunday September 14 with lot of enthusiasm. It began with the holy mass at 11 am, concelebrated by Fr Paschal Mariappa, parish priest. The holy eucharist was rendered in Konkani, celebrated by the priest who is a not a Konkani pastor.
After the holy mass, a felicitation programme was held to honour and thank all those who contributed to the growth and development of Konkani language in Sundekere parish. The parish priest Fr Paschal Mariappa, though not very much conversant with Konkani language, took trouble to learn the language and concelebrate the holy mass in Konkani,after coming to Sundekere. Therefore, he was specially thanked and honoured by the Sanchalan by draping a shawl around him and offering fruits and flowers. Besides, 25 students were honoured for their excellence in studies. Konkani booklet, "chalthi Magnim," was released by Matilda D'Silva and distributed to all the people gathered. The parish priest in his presidential address, congratulated the members of Catholic Konkani Rakhan Sanchalan for their keen interest to develop Konkani language and culture, and promised his full co-operation even in the future.
Sanchalan secretary Cecilia Pais read out the annual report. Zonal president Cyril Rebello and zonal secretary Geetha thanked and congratulated the members for the stupendous achievements recorded within a year. Wilfred Colaco, Philip Saldanha, Matilada D'Silva, Sylvester Saldanha, Geetha Dias, Cyril Rebello and Eric D'Silva were on the dais. Joseph Pinto compered the progamme and proposed the vote of thanks.
After the programme, a sumptuous meal in true Mangalorean Konkani style, was served to the gathering, numbering to around 300. The specialty of the mass and the programme was that the whole parish including the non-Konkani people of the parish, were present and offered their whole hearted support and co-operation for the celebrations.